24th January 2010
Howard Harding

Young Scottish qualifier Stewart Anderson dashed hopes of the first ever final between two English club-mates when he beat unseeded Nick Brett in straight sets in today's (Saturday) semi-finals of the Potters Holidays World Indoor Singles Championship in Norfolk.

In only his second appearance in the flagship World Bowls Tour event, the 24-year-old from Ayrshire despatched two former world champions - including compatriot Alex Marshall, the record five-time winner of the title - to come up against Brett, the world No20 from Peterborough.

Anderson, the reigning world junior champion, consistently drew to the jack with his first two bowls, leaving little scope for his opponent.  And, after dropping four shots in the second set when failing to keep a single bowl on the rink, Brett went down 8-2, 11-8.

When BBC presenter Rishi Persad later suggested to Brett that Anderson had been 'relentless', the 35-year-old replied:  "I think he was a little bit better than that!"

Anderson, as unassuming off the rink as he is on, admitted that he was finding the new demands on his time exhausting.  "I'm not used to all these interviews and TV requirements.

"But getting to the final is incredible.  When I got here, I was just hoping to get a couple of games under my belt and get a few ranking points."

Nick Brett was emphatic in his praise for Anderson:  "He was just too good - he drew phenomenally.  If he comes out like this in the final, he'll be a massive task for anybody.

"He has been sensational throughout these championships."

Anderson will face Brett's City of Ely club-mate Greg Harlow, the world No4 and runner-up in 2006.

The 41-year-old edged out compatriot Robert Paxton, a qualifier from Exeter, 9-8, 8-4 to reach the final for the second time.

Harlow was shocked to realise that Paxton had only scored four singles in the second set.  "It felt like anybody's set - but the two I got to go 7-4 up was the final turning point, leaving him needing a four to take the game into a tie-break," explained the Ely star.

"I don't think it was as great a standard as yesterday (against former champion Paul Foster) - but it was more tense.

"It's good to be in the final again - especially as the semi is probably the worst round to lose in as you're in touching distance of the final."

Paxton, who beat former champion Andy Thomson en-route to his second semi-final in five years, was disappointed - but delighted to have made the semis:  "It's not bad for a qualifier - and touch wood I won't now have to qualify next year."

The winner of Sunday's final will receive a cheque for £28,000.  "The money means nothing to me," said Stewart Anderson.  "Bowls is my favourite hobby - it would be a bonus to win."